Transgenerational/intergenerational learning—violence tends to beperpetuated from one generation to the next

c.

Mirror cells—neurons in the brain of an observer respond to the behaviorsof the observed person in the same way they would if the observer had executedthe action himself

d.

Shortcomings: many individuals exposed to violent families donot

go on toemulate abusive

behaviors

2.

Conditioning

a.

Classical conditioning (emotional learning)—emotional changes that takeplace in an individual as a result of experience by pairing of a signal or cue with asubsequent frightening and painful event (traumatic reactions)

Incorrect or inadequate measurements lead to faulty assumptions about familyviolence that narrow understanding

ii.

There is no ideal standard of measuring interpersonal violence between familymembers

iii.

Need for multiple measurements

1.

Obtain both quantitative and qualitative data

iv.

Cultural competence in assessment means

1.

not excluding persons who belong to minority groups from their samples

2.

assessing those in other cultures using appropriate questionnaires andappropriate test administration

v.

Estimating rates of family violence is complicated because

1.

Such a complex multidimensional problem has no single set of numbers that canadequately capture the phenomenon

2.

Statistical estimates of the prevalence and incidence of various forms of familyviolence are not empirical facts; they are findings based on quantitative data that areeasily influenced by many factors.

focus on the importance of describing their data fully, characterizing theiranalyses thoroughly, scrutinizing the results of their analyses carefully for anomalies,and reporting the magnitude of relationships

2.

employ research designs and analyses that are as simple as possible

3.

emphasize more strongly the valued of conducting longitudinal studies

4.

encourage scientists to function as advocates in order to clarify their findings tononscientists

5.

improve their communications with experts in policy and law

6.

offer clear policy recommendations based on their findings

ii.

Univariate versus Multivariate Designs

1.

Univariate—single-variable

a.

analyses tends to fragment and narrow findings

2.

Multivariate—multiple variables

a.

analyses can deepen understanding of the dynamics

Barnett, Family Violence Across the Lifespan, 3e

10

3.

Meta-analysis—a set of quantitative procedures for summarizing or integratingfindings obtained from

combining findings from a large number of studies on aparticular topic

iii.

Case Histories

1.

enliven dissemination of information about family violence

iv.

Qualitative Studies

1.

adds richness and meaning to quantitative data

v.

Ethical Issues

1.

Ensure the safety of participants, investigators, and mental health workers

a.

4 states have created regulations governing procedures that researchersmust follow when working with human subjects

b.

American Psychological Association (APA) provides ethical guidelines

c.

Internal Review Boards (IRB) in universities oversee research

2.

Obtain informed consent from all subjects and make sure that those givingconsent are competent to do so